Television history: 100 years of “wittiness”: Heinz Schenk’s big birthday

As an original Hesse, he entertained his guests for many years in the TV Äppelwoi pub “Zum Blauen Bock”: Heinz Schenk is without question one of the show greats in post-war Germany. Ten years after his death, a simple grave in a suburban cemetery in his last place of residence, Wiesbaden, commemorates the entertainer; his former home has long since been demolished.

Heinz Schenk was born 100 years ago today (December 11, 1924). On this occasion, Hessischer Rundfunk (HR) is dedicating the one-hour documentary “The 20 Million Man – Entertainer Heinz Schenk” to his former presenter.

Career began in carnival

The Hessian babbling flounder was born on the other side of the Rhine – in Mainz. There, Schenk demonstrated his talent for cheerfulness early on and made his first appearances in the carnival festival as a child.

After the war, the actor switched to radio. There, like Hans-Joachim Kulenkampff and Peter Frankenfeld, he appeared on “Frankfurter Wecker”, a legendary comedic morning show on HR. In 1966, Schenk took over the “Blue Bock” from Otto Höpfner.

The show is inextricably linked to the golden era of German television. For 21 years, Schenk invited people to the Bembel show on Saturday evenings as head waiter and managing director.

With his television partner Lia Wöhr, he served cider from the traditional Äppelwoi pot until the end of 1987 and presented honorary medals to his guests. Up to 20 million people tuned in at the time. Schenk provided the ideas for the show and, in addition to the lyrics, also wrote almost all of the songs.

When the Hessischer Rundfunk discontinued the “Blauer Bock” in 1987, Schenk devoted himself primarily to the stage again. The often underestimated actor became a mainstay at the Frankfurt Volkstheater. One of his star roles was “De Geizhals” in 1991, the Hessian version of Molière’s “The Miser”.

“His wit knows no limits”

Schenk showed that he also had self-irony in 1993 with an appearance in Hape Kerkeling’s comedy “Kein Pardon”. There he played an aging, scheming showmaster who stalks his assistants. The show and a catchy tune in the bitter TV satire are called “Witness knows no limits”.

“When we wrote the script, I could only imagine Heinz Schenk in this role,” said Kerkeling in a recent interview with the German Press Agency. “Then it wasn’t even 24 hours after we sent him the book that he called me and said: This is the role of my life. Of course I’ll play it.”

Withdrawal from the public

In the years before his death, things became quieter around Schenk. The passionate skat player, amateur gardener and photographer withdrew from the public eye with his wife Gerti. “There is life after applause,” he said shortly before his 80th birthday. Schenk died at the age of 89 in May 2014 – just a few months after Gerti’s death.

Around two years later, fans and curious people were able to get an insight into the Schenks’ private life when the couple’s house in Wiesbaden-Naurod was opened for auction.

Where Heinz and Gerti had previously made themselves comfortable on deer-brown leather TV armchairs in front of the rustic oak wall unit, suddenly around 600 visitors stood at the preview on a Saturday morning.

The Bembels in particular were popular with bidders and some fetched more than 2,000 euros. In addition, private photos, records, technical equipment, paintings and pewter plates as well as the couple’s sauna also went under the hammer. The money from the estate flowed into a foundation to support young entertainers.